Alphabet’s self-driving division, Waymo, has announced its plans to roll out its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Washington, D.C. by 2026. The company, which has already expanded its service to several major U.S. cities, aims to introduce its driverless technology to the U.S. capital in the coming year.
Expanding Autonomous Services to Washington, D.C.
Waymo has been progressively moving its self-driving vehicles to Washington, D.C. since January, with more vehicles expected to be deployed over the coming weeks. While the city currently does not allow for fully autonomous vehicles without a human behind the wheel, Waymo intends to work closely with local policymakers to develop the necessary legal framework for the service.
Waymo One, the company’s self-driving ride-hailing service, has already gained significant traction in other cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin, where it provides over 200,000 paid trips weekly. The company plans to expand to Atlanta and Miami next before launching in Washington, D.C.
Regulatory Challenges and Funding
The announcement comes amid growing interest in autonomous vehicle deployment, especially in Washington, D.C., where federal regulators and lawmakers are located. Tech companies, including Waymo, have urged the government to expedite vehicle approvals and establish clearer regulations for autonomous vehicles.
In October 2024, Waymo closed a $5.6 billion funding round led by its parent company, Alphabet, which will help support the expansion of its self-driving services despite ongoing safety concerns raised by regulators.
Safety Concerns and Recalls
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have faced scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which opened an investigation in May 2024 after receiving multiple reports of the company’s robotaxis exhibiting unexpected behavior, including traffic violations and collisions. In response to these incidents, Waymo issued several recalls, including a recall in June 2024 of 672 vehicles after one of its driverless cars hit a utility pole in Phoenix.
Despite these challenges, Waymo claims that based on data from over 50 million rider-only miles (80.5 million kilometers), its vehicles have been involved in 81% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to average human drivers.
Conclusion
Waymo’s plans for the 2026 launch of its autonomous ride-hailing service in Washington, D.C. represent a significant milestone in the development of self-driving technology. While the company faces regulatory hurdles and safety concerns, it continues to push forward with its vision for a future without human drivers.
